The longest-running cyber security degree program in the state has prepared more graduates from a NSA- and CAE-credentialed education than any other university’s cyber program in Arizona. As a result, they have taken their place among the nation’s top cyber security professionals and help to meet growing demand that recently surpassed 200,000 job openings.

Prior to cyber security becoming part of the U.S. vocabulary, UAT launched the Network Security degree, now commonly referenced as a cyber security degree, in partnership with industry and government.

UAT recognized the importance of training cyber security experts, beginning in 2000, ahead of the groundswell of online hacking and corruption. They also understood the necessity of having cyber security professionals, more educated and “street smart” than the “black hats,” for the country’s counter terrorism entities within the DoD, NSA, CIA and other government agencies looking to build their defense against network espionage.

Network Security students learning skills in a Capture the Flag challenge in the UAT Cyber Warfare Range

UAT’s cyber security degree is designed to educate the industry’s elite, ethical hackers as the next generation of cyber security professionals, commonly referred to as “white hat” hackers focused on earning the credentials necessary to be respected leaders helping to protect our nation’s assets.

Designated as a Center for Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE/IAE) by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), UAT’s cyber security program and cyber lab are recognized by industry and government entities alike for their ability to generate the future industry innovators of the cyber security industry – leaders who will have mastery in ethical hacking and uphold the highest industry standard of integrity in our quickly evolving world of technology and online security.

“Our established NSA and FBI relationships have fostered the creation of a comprehensive curriculum that assures the high integrity and preparedness of graduates,” says Dr. David Bolman, UAT Provost. “As testimony to this, the NSA conducts annual visits to campus to recruit our best graduates. This top national cyber security degree is right here, in Arizona’s backyard.”

“Our program isn’t simply books and labs,” says Russ Rogers, UAT Network Security program champion and one of the industry’s foremost experts. “Our students are working actively in faculty-driven internships, providing quality security services for real-world companies.” For example, Professor Rogers currently is mentoring students in an NTS internship program, where they are doing programmatic and technical work for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Real-world learning also occurs in UAT’s DoD-funded, state-of-the-art cyber security cave and at the world’s largest ethical hacking events. Connected to the industry, Professor Rogers is one of the national organizers of the annual DEF CON hacker conference who manages volunteers at both Black Hat and DEF CON.

In fact, UAT was the only university given the chance to have their cyber security students volunteer at this year’s Black Hat. Every year, UAT has a massive presence of faculty and students working together at each DEF CON and Black Hat event.

UAT Cyber Security students working as Black Hat volunteers

UAT’s impact is recognized in the industry. Clarence McAllister, CEO at Fortis Networks, states, “As a federal government contractor, I acknowledge UAT’s contributions in educating the best cyber security professionals in the industry. As a result, the nation now has access to highly qualified security experts.”

“We’re proud to play a leading role in educating premier students to fill critical positions that help build and maintain our national and global security infrastructure,” says Jason Pistillo, UAT President and founding board member of Security Canyon, Arizona’s Cyber Security Coalition. “Since tech is all we do, our technology university has the elite status of being among a select few 100 percent STEM-based universities in the nation.”

UAT began more than 30 years ago, at the dawn of the computer age, with advancing technology degrees that soon after included Arizona’s original cyber security degree. It quickly became one of the most respected network security degrees among industry and government entities alike, which resulted in UAT becoming Network Security Curriculum Certified. Today, the technology college’s advancing technology degrees include a full continuum of residential and online cyber security and technology forensics degrees.

UAT continues its commitment to educating the next generation of elite professionals practicing digital citizenry in degree programs, including prestigious undergraduate cyber security degrees in Network Security, Network Engineering, and Technology Forensics, and the elite graduate degree in Information Assurance transporting graduates to the leading edge of industry.

Hundreds of graduates from UAT’s center for cyber security have gone on to become esteemed alumni and respected professionals in their fields as a result of the essential knowledge and tools they gained – many working at the highest levels of commerce, industry, and national security.

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